According to the National Statistics office of Mongolia, total external trade turnover reached $462.8 million in the first quarter, of which exports comprised $229.8 million and imports $233 million.

Compared with the same period in 2005, total external trade turnover increased by 21.8%, with imports rising by 36.5% and exports by 10.2%.

Compared with the first quarter in 2005, chemical & chemical industry products imports increased by $4.4 million, while exports of raw and processed hides, skins, fur and articles increased by $7.1 million.

Output declined in several areas including luggage, handbags, saddlery, harness and footwear.

Compared with the same period in 2005, first quarter industrial output increased by 1.2% for the manufacture of textiles and wearing apparel, dressing and dyeing of fur, tanning, dressing of leather, manufacture of furniture, manufacture of chemicals and chemical products and extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas divisions.